"Dream. Try. Do Good."

Stacy Tell is a Master’s of Education candidate in the Language and Literacy Program. An aspiring reading specialist, Stacy is passionate about helping students to become lifelong readers.

“Dream. Try. Do Good.”

For those of you who haven’t watched (and cried through) the classic movie, Love Story, this is a film from the 1970s that centers around a Harvard hockey player and a Radcliffe intellectual who have absolutely nothing in common other than their deep love for each other.  When I first began considering plans for graduate school and researching my options, my mom told me, “Well, if you’re applying to Harvard, you gotta watch Love Story! It was filmed at Harvard.” I’d love to tell you that movies and television aren’t a major factor in my life decisions, but let’s face it – who didn’t want to be a teacher after watching Mr. Feeny on their television screens every Friday afternoon in Boy Meets World marathons?

In all seriousness, I know the application process can be incredibly daunting. Before you even begin to think about letters of recommendation, sending off transcripts, and writing personal statements, you have to find the school that’s best for you. I’m a big list maker, so my advice is to write your own list. What are the top five things that you are looking to take away from your graduate school experience? Do you want a program heavily based in research, or one that places you within a school or organization during your time there? Are you looking to live in a city atmosphere, or is a campus more your style? Write out all of your dreams for the ultimate graduate experience, and then list them by priority. ... Read more. Read more student blog posts about life at the Ed School at Notes from Appian Way. To learn more about Harvard Graduate School of Education, including programs and application deadlines, visit wpdev.gse.harvard.edu/admissions.